Paktakon or Riddles Part IV

About Play and Games:

1. Tul-an kag panit
    Pero nagalupad

         Burador


   Bones and skin
   Yet flying.

       Kite


2. May hampangan ako nga maayo-ayo
    Ang iya kinaugali korioso
    Kon higtan mapasiyo
    Kon buhinan madiskanso.

         Burador


    I have a decent toy
    Its attitude is korioso
    If tied it will walk
    If reduced it will rest or stop.

           Kite



About Transportation:

1. Naligo ang kapitan
    Wala mabasa ang busong.

         Baroto

    The captain took a bath
     Its stomach is dry or not wet.

          Boat


2. Kahoy nga kon ang dahon mahomok
    Malaya ang iya gamut
    Kon ang gamut manalonton
    Malaya ang iya dahon.

       Sakayan

  If a tree has a leaf that is soft
  It's roots will wither
  If the roots will spring and sip
  It's leaf will wither

       Car


3. May nakita ako nagapangali
    Kinadto-an ko wala agi.

       Bugsay sang baroto


    I saw someone digging
    I went towards it but it has no trace.

        Paddling of the boat



About Different Objects:

1. May ulo, wala busong
    May li-og, wala hawak

           Botelya

   There is a head but no stomach
    There is a neck but no waist

           Bottle


2. Balay sang panday
    Isa ang haligi

         Balay sang Pating


   House of carpenter
   Has only one post or pillar.

         Birdhouse


3. Baboy ko sa kaingin
    Nagatambok bisan wala pagkaon.

         Bungyod

    My pig in kaingin (slash and burn)
    Getting fatter or heavier even without food.

        Mound or high ground


4. Makadaha wala sang init
     Nagaaso bisan malamig.

           Yelo

    It can cook without heat
    It smokes even if its cold.

           Ice


5. Talamnan nga maputi
    Nga maitum sing binhi
    Lima ang nagatanum
    Duha ang nagatambong.

        Sulat


    Plantation that is white
    That has dark or black seeds
    Five are planting
    Two are attending.

        Letter


6. May karabaw ako nga wala sungay
    Ginarado ko sa puti nga duta
    Ginapangasan ko pilit nga itum
    Namunga pulos pulong.

        Sulat

     I have a carabao with no horns
     I made it plough a white field
     I planted or sow it with black or dark grains
     It produced or bear all words.

       Letter


7. Anano hinuptan nga talahuron
    Sang iya agalon nga matinumanon.

       Pilak ukon Bulawan


   What is that pet that is respected and honored
    By its master who is obeying.

       Silver or Gold


8. Isa ka lawi nga oway
   Makalambot sa Janiuay.

     Dalan


   A long curved feathers of a rattan
   It can reach Janiuay.

     Road


9.  Anano yadtong madasig
     Magdalagan sa kasiutan
     Kag kon sa matinlo nga dalan
     Dili makatikang.

       Kalayo

    What is this fast to run in the wilderness
     And in clean road it cannot walk

          Fire


10. Baston ni San Juan
      Indi makaptan.

         Suga


     Staff of Saint John
     Cannot hold

         Fluorescent lamp


11. Isa ka uhay nga humay
      Tughan ang balay.

          Suga


     An ear of rice grain
     It can cover the entire house

         Light or Lamp


12. Ano ang labing kamahalan
      Nga sang tanan guinahugma
      Apang daw ano katingalahan
      Ginapilasan ang lawas niya.

             Duta


     What is this so precious expensive and so valuable to everyone
     Yet it is so strange that it is inflicting wound and injury to its body.

            Land


13. Ano nga katingalahan
      Tubtob karon wala mahuman.

         Suba

  
      What is it so strange
       That until now it is not completed

          River

     
   

Paktakon or Riddles Part III

About the Climate, Weather and Elements  (Floods, Wind, Rain, Moon):

1. Baston ni San Jose
    Hindi maisip

        Ulan

    Staff of Saint Joseph
    Could not be counted

        Rain


2. Hindi man pilak, indi man bulawan
    Pero nagasiga

            Adlaw

   Not silver and not even gold,
   But it is glittering and shimmering

           Sun

3. Bati-on apang hindi makita
    Makita apang hindi bati-on.

     Daguob kag kilat

It can be heard but not cannot be seen
It can be seen but cannot be heard

     Thunder and Lightning

4. Natao ako sa aga
    Kag napatay sa hapon
    Apang ako ang kalipay
    Sa tanan nga dutan-on

 Ang  pagbutlak kag pagtunod sang Adlaw

    I was born in the morning
   And died in the afternoon
   But I am the happiness
   Of everything on earth or earthly

The rising and setting of the sun or
   Sunrise and Sunset


5. Ara na, ara na.
    Pero hindi makita

        Hangin

  It is here, it is here
  But cannot be seen.

       Wind



About Personal Stuff or Objects:

1. Duha ka sakayan
    May isa ka kapitan.
  
       Sapatos

   Two boats
   With one captain.

        Shoe


2. Isa ka gatos nga mag-utod
    Isa lang ang pusod.

         Payong


    One hundred siblings
    Only one navel.

        Umbrella


3. Kon iduso mo mahimo nga payag
    Kon butongon mo mahimo nga daw pusil.

        Payong


    If you push it will look like a hut
    If you pull it will look like a gun.

        Umbrella


About the Time:

1. May isa ka kahoy nga magayon
    Nga may napulog duha ka sanga
    Apat ka bulak sa tag-iya
    Kag ini may tagpito ka dahon.

       Kalendaryo

    There is a beautiful tree
    With twelve branches
    Four flowers for the owner
    And it has seven leaves each.

        Calendar


2. May kahoy akong nabal-an
    Pito ang iya sanga
    Ang kada sanga duha ka pulo
    Kag apat ang dahon itom.

        Isa ka semana

   

There is a tree I know
    It has seven branches
    Each branch has twenty-four black leaves.

       A week

3. Napulo kag duha ka soldado
    Duha ka kabo.

       Orasan


   Twelve soldiers
   Two chief boss.

      Clock

Paktakon or Riddles Part II

About Resting, Siesta and Relaxation:

1. Anano yadtong hampangan
    Ang lawas katingalahan
    Buktot sa likod, lupyak ang tiyan
    Timbang ang ulo nga may
    apat ka sungay.
    Tumubo ang apat
    Ka dalunggan nga  nahamtangan
    Sang duha ka ikug  magtimbang.

        Duyan


   What is that toy
    Its body is strangely unusual
   It is hunchback, hollow stomach
   Balance head with four horns
   The four ear grows
    which was placed with
    Two tails in both sides.


       Hammock



2. Bulag nga waay guya
    Kamut, kag tiil apang may
    Lawas kag bayo.

        Ulunan

   Blind without a face
   Hands and feel but with
   Body and dress

      Pillow


About Church and Religion:

1. Tatlo ka butones
    Apat ang uhales.
 
      Santo Kristo

    Three buttons
    Four button holes

     Crucifix


About Objects Used in the House and At Work:

1. Manaog basiyo
    Magsaka kargado.

        Timba

   It goes down empty
   It goes up full

      A bucket or pail


2. Saya ni Santa Maria
    Sarisari ang duag niya

        Halayan


   Skirt of Santa Maria
   Has different colors
  
    Clothes line or long string on which clothes are hang


3. Diutay pa si Toto
    Makahibalo na mamuno.

       Dagom

   Toto is still small or young
   Already knows to stab or pierce

        Needle


4. Nagadalagan nga nagahirihiri
    Nagalaylay iya tinae.

       Makina

   Running while laughing
   It's intestine is hanging

    Sewing Machine


5. Manok sa Maynila
    Madasig magtuka

      Makina


   Chicken in Manila
   Fast to peck with its beak

     Sewing Machine
   

Paktakon or Riddles Part I

About Human Anatomy:

1. Duha ka balay-balay
    Puno sang balahibo.

           Ilong

     Two small huts
      Full of hairs.

           Nose


2.  Balay ni Esok tuwad.

          Ilong

    House of Esok bending back

         Nose


3. Kon aga nagakamang
    Kon udto nagatindog
    Kon hapon nagapungko.

         Tao

    In the morning it is crawling.
    At noon standing
    In the afternoon it is sitting.

        Human


4. May isa ako ka amigo
    Upod sa akon bisan diin ako makadto

         Landong

   I have a friend
   Who goes with me wherever I go

         Shadow


5. Manubu nga bukid
    Indi makita sang mga mata

        Agtang

    Low mountain
    But cannot be seen by the eyes

      Forehead and eyebrow


6. Napulo sila ka mag-utod
    Pulos sila may kalo.

          Tudlo

    They are ten siblings
     All of them has hats.

         Fingers


7. Nagapasilong apang basa.

         Dila

   Sheltering yet wet

        Tongue


8. Pakpak nga pakpak
     Indi bation sa pihak.

       Kisap sang Mata


   Flapping of wings
   Could not be heard on the other end

      Blinking of an eye


9. Ang madalum nga bubon
     Puno sing hinganiban.

       Baba

     The deep well
     Full of weapon

        Mouth


About Food and Drinks:


1. Natawo pero hindi mahibal-an
      Kung babae o lalaki

            Itlog

     It was born but it could not be determined
       If its a female or male
           
              Egg


2.  Na-anak na pero
        Wala pa matawo

           Itlog


    It has been hatched
      But yet to be born

          Egg


3. Balay sang Kastila
     Wala sing bintana.

           Itlog

    House of Spanish
      No windows

            Egg


4. Anano yadtong barato na naging mahal
      Mahal nga labing barato

           Tubi

   What is that affordable became expensive
      Expensive which is so affordable

          Water


About Tools, Equipment in Cooking, Food:


1. Ang isa ka utod kawayan
     Ang isa ka utod kalubihan.

         Luwag


   One piece bamboo
   Another piece coconut.

         Ladle


2. Kon gutom mahipos
    Kon busog magahod

        Kudkuran


   Silent when hungry
   Noisy when full.

      Kudkuran or local grater or shredder


3. Kabayo nga katingalahan
    Indi magkaon
    Kon indi sakyan.

      Kudkuran

    An unusual horse
    It won't eat
    Until it was ridden

      Kudkuran or local grater or shredder


4. Uyatan mo ang ikug ko
    Masalum ako.

        Luwag


    Hold my tail.
     I will dive in

        Ladle


5. Matahum nga dalaga
    Makita katlo ka beses sa isa ka adlaw.

      Pinggan

    A beautiful lady
     Can be seen three times a dat

       Plates


6. Malambot sang kamut ang isa ka bagay
     Apang nagagamit man sang sini gyapon si Tatay.

       Kimpit sa baga


   An object can be reached by the hands
   But still Father is still using this.

        A pair of pincers or tweezers for ember or other object

Paktakon or Riddles Introduction

Riddles are phrases or sentences that is arranged in a poetic form and describes a puzzle. It is a question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning, typically presented as a game. Nothing is not covered by the riddles as it subjects or topics are wide range. It is undeniable that outlining or creating a riddle requires a sharp mind, attention to details and the ability to recognize the natural objects of assignment aside from the richness of vocabulary.  The game of riddles is widespread throughout the island and expresses the fondness of the feelings and mind and richness of imagination and idea of every barangays or race which created the riddles.

The guessing game of riddles is not new to the Ilonggos. It is also a part of their lives. At home, in school, during a wake, the riddles are being played and recited.

The paktakon, Hiligaynon term for riddles is grouped together in different categories, like for example the puzzles about plants, animals, climate and weather, tools or equipment and many others etc.

Here are the riddles and their answers: 


Riddles About Plants, Trees, Seeds and Fruits:

1. Nanaog si Santa Maria
     Pula ang iya saya.

                 Puso sang Saging

     Santa Maria went down
      Red is her skirt

                Banana Heart


 2. Diutay nga tabig
       Buta sang kwarta

           Katumbal

     Small tabig basket
       Full of money

           Chili

3. Maitum nga bulbulon
      Mapula kon burikaton.

             Istewetes

   Black and feathery
     Reddish when split open.

          Annato Seeds


4. Sang diutay alibangbang
     Sang nagdaku latigo
            
    Balatong or hantak beans


    Butterfly when it's still small
      Whip it grows up

      Balatong or hantak beans


5. Anano yadtong kaliwatan
      nga katingalahan
   Ang iya iloy nga nagakamang pa
   Ang ila nga anak nagapungko na.

          Kalabasa

  What is that strange family
   The mother is still crawling
  Their children are now sitting.

          Squash


6. Isa ka hutlog nga ngipon
    Naputos sang papel.
  
          Luy-a

   A lengthwise of teeth
   Wrapped by paper.

        Ginger

7. Ang diotay nga lata
     Ang sulod liso.

       Langka

   Small can
   Inside are seeds

     Jackfruit


8. Ang sagwa ginakaon
    Ang sulod ginahaboy

         Mais

    The outside is eaten
     The inside is thrown

         Corn / Maize


9. May tinirohay sa bilog nga gab-i
    Apang wala sang may nasamad

        Sinanlag nga mais

    There is a gun fighting throughout the whole night
     However no one is injured.

         Grilled corn


10. Ang dagat ginputos sang langit
      Ang langit ginputos sang tul-an
      Ang tul-an ginputos sang bulbol
      Ang bulbol ginputos sang panit.

           Lubi

     The sea was wrapped by heaven
     The  heaven was wrapped by bones
     The bones was wrapped by feathers
     The feathers was wrapped by skin.

        Coconut


11. Ang tubi ginputos sang unod
      Ang unod ginputos sang tul-an
      Ang tul-an ginputos sang panit.

        Lubi


     The water is wrapped by meat
     The meat is wrapped by bones
     The bones is wrapped by skin.

       Coconut


12. Sa init nagakalipay
      Sa tugnaw nagakalaya

           Akasya

     Happy in the heat of the sun
     Withered in coldness

           Acacia Tree

13. Puno niya kanyon
      Paklang lagari
      Dahon espada
      Bunga bala.

          Buri

      The branch is cannon
       Twigs is saw
       Leaves is sword
      Fruit is bullet

         Palm Tree / Buri


14. Lumumpat si pirik-pirik
      Nanumpa nga indi magbalik.
   
            Dahon nga laya


      Pirik-pirik jumped
      Swearing not to return.

           Withered leaf


About Animals and Insect:


1. Nanay niya manyika
    Bata niya kantura.

        Nayon kag idik


   Mother is a doll
  The child is a female singer

      Pig / Sow and piglet


2. Diutay pa si Inday
    Makahibalo magsaka sa lubi.

        Subay

    Inday is still small
    She knows how to climb a coconut tree

        Ant